KAWARTHA LAKES-A Kayaker has drowned after getting stuck in the undertow of the dam in Rosedale.
Witnesses say it happened at around 6:30 pm Monday evening at the dam near Coldstream Road.
Kawartha Lakes OPP Constable Laura Newberry told Kawartha 411 News that a man was kayaking in the area when his kayak capsized and he was stuck upside down.
Witnesses were able to get the person to shore and administer first aid until Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Services arrived and took over the life-saving efforts.
Tragically, Leonid KAZANTSENA, 61 years of age, of York, Ontario was pronounced deceased.
The OPP encourages the proper use of PDF’s. Most marine drownings happen unexpectedly when small boats capsize or someone falls overboard. The PFD left behind is not much use, especially in cold water.
Parks Canada advises getting too close to dams can be dangerous. Calm water can quickly, and without warning, become a surge of fast-moving water. This fast-moving water creates strong undercurrents that cannot always be seen from the surface and can drown even the strongest swimmer.
The Ontario Government also warns personal watercraft and boats should always stay clear of dams.
On July 14th Parks Canada advised the public to expect higher than normal water levels and flows during navigation hours and increased flows outside of navigation hours, across the entire navigable route of the Trent-Severn Waterway until further notice.
 The higher than normal water levels and flows during navigation hours are due to the high amounts of precipitation received over the preceding two weeks.
The increased flows overnight are the result of water management dam adjustments to address the higher than normal water levels caused by the recent precipitation.
Officials advised the public should consider these overnight flows as non-navigable. Residents and visitors should exercise extreme caution around and on the water.
Police are reminding residents to be cautious when out on the water due to high levels.
